WiFi-devices build momentum

Research firm In-Stat says shipments of consumer electronics devices with WiFi capabilities will reach almost one billion per year by the year 2012, states Network World.

The numbers are already staggering as the firm says 294 million consumer electronics devices with WiFi were shipped in 2007 and In-Stat predicts a compound annual growth rate in the market through 2012 of 26%.

Cellphones that support WiFi will also grow in numbers as In-Stat predicts that by 2011, combination cellular/WiFi handsets will surpass mobile PCs as the largest category of WiFi devices.

Shanghai-based TA Technology has became WiFi Alliance's newest Authorised Test Laboratory (ATL), providing independent testing services to its worldwide roster of member companies in one of China's key economic capitals, reports Antara News.

TA Technology is the second WiFi Alliance ATL in mainland China and joins a worldwide network of 12 other independent WiFi Alliance ATLs which perform tests for more than 300 member companies worldwide.

"WiFi has become an instrumental part of many consumer electronics and enterprise devices, and our member companies in the region ship a substantial portion of the WiFi products sold worldwide," says Edgar Figueroa, executive director of the WiFi Alliance. "With more than 40% of our members in Asia, it is critical that we continue to expand our presence in China, and deliver the most accessible footprint of testing facilities."

SureWest Communications has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its 52 cellular telephone towers to Global Tower Partners, says Business Journal.

This move follows the sale of the company's wireless assets to Verizon Wireless earlier this year.

The final purchase price is expected to be between $9.5 million and $10.2 million, according to SureWest. The purchase price is determined by the amount of rent generated by cellular companies that use the towers.